Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Introduces Bill to Expand Technical Assistance for Limited English Proficiency Individuals

Washington, D.C - Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) announced the introduction of the Community Finance Language Inclusion Act.This bill would expand the official definition of "technical assistance" within the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund to include outreach materials in additional languages other than English. The CDFI Fund is overseen by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and is responsible for helping CDFIs promote access to financial capital and economic growth in urban and low-income communities.

This legislation has major national implications as the United States is home to more than 380 spoken languages and roughly 9% of people speak English "less than very well." This will ensure better service to these individuals.

"More than 26 million people in our country have limited English proficiency, and it's imperative we help these individuals fully access all the financial resources available so they can thrive,"said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. "Helping everyone, especially minorities and first-generation Americans, achieve financial success is one of my top priorities. Ensuring that CDFIs can now reach individuals who struggle to speak English is a significant step towards making that a reality."

"Consumers with limited English proficiency face unique and often significant challenges when interacting with the financial system. Borrowers often will need language assistance from their children or other family members and may enter into transactions without any written materials they can fully comprehend," National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients)."Rep. Garcia's bill will help CDFIs better reach these consumers in a meaningful way, promoting access and equity."

"Today, limited English proficiency can limit economic opportunities for nearly 26 million consumers who are mostly Latino. Removing these barriers to financial resources can unlock their full economic potential. This legislation is an important step in the right direction," UnidosUS. "Community Development Financial Institutions can play a pivotal role in reaching and engaging these consumers with more targeted resources that expand their capacity. This is one way Congress can act to improve the economic status of the Latino community."

You can find the full bill text PDF

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Armed Services Committees.